The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) said it is partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address what it described “Bottle Necks” capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The National Treasurer, (TMG) Tijjani Abdulkareem stated this at a Training of Trainers Workshop towards the forthcoming elections in Kano on Monday.
According to him, the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), interested in the conduct of free and credible elections in Nigeria had hitherto, engaged with INEC on how to make the sector better.
He said, with the level of commitment shown by INEC, it is hopeful that the Commission will conduct a credible election even as they work together to address some challenges bordering around security, logistics and technical issues which could hinder the smooth conduct of the electoral processes.
“We have identified some challenges and we are hopeful that INEC’s promises for a smooth election will be fulfilled.
We are a foremost group interested in promoting election integrity, free and credible election in Nigeria and we have been engaging INEC prior to the electoral Act came into effect and we are happy that with the passage of the Act, more opportunities have been provided to ensure free and fair election by the Commission.
For now, we can say INEC has done so much in ensuring they deliver a credible election and we are hopeful that with the level of commitment they have shown so far, the citizens will be proud of the conduct of the 2023 general elections”, he added.
Furthermore, Adbulkareem, enjoined security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to play their roles to support INEC so as to checkmate arising issues that can undermine the success of the 2023 elections.
“We wish to call on security agencies in particular and other relevant bodies and groups to complement INEC’s efforts by playing their parts so as to have a smooth process”.
Garba Ashiru, Officer in charge of Voter Education, INEC Kano, while delivering a lecture titled ‘Voting and result transmission process under the Electoral Act 2022 and understanding BVAs and its application’ said, the Commission has introduced measures to address citizens’ previous fears of massive doctoring and falsification of election results.
He stated that, under the new Act, every eligible voter must be electronically accredited before being allowed to cast his or her vote while any one who fails the electronic accreditation shall not be allowed to cast a vote.
Ashiru, also noted that, in an even where there is system malfunction beyond 2:30PM on the day of election, provision shall be made for voting to continue on the following day while the Commission has been given the mandate to cross-check results submitted within seven days to rectify any problem unlike in the past where all result related issues were contended in the court of law.
He assured that the electoral umpire shall continue to strive towards a better outcome in the forthcoming 2023 general elections and even beyond.
Earlier, the Chairman of the group, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, in his welcome address stated that their aim is to achieve the desired outcomes in improving quality of elections in Nigeria by ensuring that citizens are adequately and effectively mobilized and sensitized in order to actively participate in elections in the country.
That, the Supporting Citizens Engagements towards the 2023 Election project provides them the opportunity of ensuring the electoral reforms they have all fought for at collective and individual capacities reflect the outcome of the election.